"But I wonder if anyone's controlling it."
Tsukishiro Yanagi spoke softly, briefly explaining to the two and the Bangboo what had just happened before continuing,
"Didn't expect the Falkenhayn Mercenary troops to have such gadgets. That was close. Looks like they didn't spot us. Proxy, set a new route—we need to move fast. This shift's almost over."
At her words, Harumasa and Soukaku both nodded. The latter reached out, lifted Eous into his arms, and quickly followed after the two in front.
...
Meanwhile, somewhere else within the quarantined zone.
"Are you sure? It's really someone from Section 6?"
In a room hidden from the sunlight, a calm voice echoed from a dark corner. Across the room, a sergeant in uniform faced the unseen figure.
"Confirmed. The intel came from the Falkenhayn Mercenary. Just moments ago, a drone completed a full-area scan and picked up three targets—it verified their identities. They probably don't realize they've already been exposed."
The sergeant explained the situation. Upon receiving the report, he had already instructed personnel within the zone not to act rashly if they spotted anyone suspicious.
Those advanced AI drones weren't common. This one had been specifically dispatched after reports of suspicious movement—it wasn't a coincidence.
"Good. Don't stop them. I want to see what they plan to do with this strange Hollow—it'll make our job easier."
The man in the shadows spoke again, letting out a cold, low laugh, his tone laced with both anticipation and malice.
They had been helpless against these Hollows for a while now. The Falkenhayn Mercenary here were newly promoted, still taking orders. Give it a bit more time, and even the blockade would no longer be under their control.
Now, with the breakthrough practically handed to them, it was like a gift from the heavens.
"Still… something feels off. By rights, that Shin shouldn't have passed this intel to us. Besides, I'm pretty sure she already knows which side we're on."
The sergeant spoke seriously, his expression tense. He wasn't part of the Falkenhayn Mercenary but had been summoned by the man before him to assist with the blockade—they were on the same side.
"She just saw which way the wind was blowing and decided to cozy up to us. After all, that one is about to… heh."
As the sun dipped lower, half of the speaker's face caught the light—pale, sinister, and cold.
Draped in black, his eyes hidden beneath the hood, only the sharp curve of his nose was visible, enough to make one's skin crawl.
"Still, don't let your guard down. We're at the final step before success—no room for mistakes."
The sergeant nodded silently and left the room.
The shadowed face once again faded into darkness.
...
Scott Outpost.
Inside a Falkenhayn Mercenary Camp.
"They've started moving?"
"Yeah. Those three from Section 6 turned out to be quite useful. The others were keeping still before, thinking it wasn't their problem. But now, they couldn't resist any longer."
Listening to Trigger's report, Shin smiled faintly and said softly,
"It was supposed to be insignificant—just something to seal off. Didn't expect a little bonus on top."
"I was going to let the Hollow stabilize step by step, but the opportunity just walked right in."
"Of course, there were a few flaws in the intel I passed along, but nothing major. With a chance like this…"
Trigger listened quietly, mulling over what might be happening on the other side.
This time, it was pure coincidence. What came of it would depend on what followed—but those people really were easy to bait.
Little did they know, while the mantis stalks the cicada, the yellow bird waits behind...